500,000 children ineligible for holiday food programme despite free school meals
UKPulse News Desk
Around 500,000 children who qualify for free school meals during term time are reportedly unable to access the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme during school holidays.
- Approximately 500,000 children from poorer families are ineligible for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
- These children recently became eligible for means-tested free school meals during term time.
- The government's decision has reportedly broken the link between free school meal eligibility and HAF access.
Around 500,000 children from poorer families who are eligible for means-tested free school meals during term time are reportedly disqualified from accessing the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. Andrew Forsey, National Director of Feeding Britain, stated that the government has acknowledged the need for these children to receive extra help during term time but has decided this need does not extend into school holidays.
The HAF programme provides nutritious meals, enriching activities, and free childcare. Historically, eligibility for HAF has been linked to the receipt of free school meals. However, the government's decision to break this link could mean working parents, earning as little as £7,500 a year, will be unable to access this support.
Mr Forsey urged that there is still time for the budget to restore the link between free school meals and HAF. He warned that failure to do so could lead many low-income families towards a "cliff edge" in next year's school holidays.
Why this matters: The reported change in eligibility for the Holiday Activities and Food programme could impact half a million children from low-income families, potentially negating the benefits of free school meals during term time.
What this means for you: If you are a working parent earning as little as £7,500 a year and your child recently became eligible for means-tested free school meals, they may no longer be eligible for the Holiday Activities and Food programme during school holidays.